Bobtail

T.r. rugosa

The tail is relatively long and slender. Has cream, yellow orange to pale grey bands on the body and tail. The head usually paler than ground colour often orange. This bobtail is approx 290mm long from snout to vent.

Occurs in the lower South-west of Western Australia and is commonly seen on bushwalks or you hear the loud hiss and then you see it!

Here the Bobtail hides in grass, camouflaged. Seen at Lake Joondalup Perth, in November.

Bobtails have large scales that are irregular shaped as seen on this one from Forestdale Lake in Perth in October.

This is another bobtail seen at Forestdale lake, Perth in October. This one looks on the skinny side as you can see its spine more pronounced than normal.

I have seen several Bobtails at Dryandra woodland, wheatbelt.

These two were seen in October.

Bold Park, Perth in September.

Noggerup Forest in October

Wireless Hill, Perth in September

Karnup Nature Reserve Baldivs south of Perth in August

Seen at Port Kennedy south of Perth on the coast. Here in January I saw two Bobtails.

I interrupted the pursuit of two very strongly orange banded Bobtails at Signal Hill in Belmont, Perth in October.

This one was seen at Piney Lakes in Perth southern suburbs in September.

This bobby was seen at Serpentine National Park in the Peel region in September.

Jarradale south of Perth in June

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This 'bobby' was brought into my care as I am also a wildlife carer, after a dog got hold of it. It was from Leeming in Perth. These creatures are one of the toughest animals I have come across. They have survived whipper-snippers, lawn mowers, dog attacks and cars. They also have to survive fires by diving down the nearest burrow. This bobtail made a full recovery and was released.

These skinks lumber along sometimes reaching a short burst of speed as they dive for cover in long grass or a under a bush. They are found in all habitats.

Many Bobtails have been seen at Brixton Street Conservation Park in Beckenham Perth.

Here I have seen the two tone orange and grey bobtails and the grey bobtails with very little orange on their faces.

Brixton Street Conservation Park, August

Brixton Street Conservation Park

Brixton Street Conservation Park, October

Brixton Street Conservation Park, Novemeber

Two ticks were found on this bobtail. Bobtails often have ticks on them as they are so low to the ground and they like to nest and sleep in sand. Its said that bobtails that are unwell will have more ticks on them, this could be due to them resting more.

Jandakot Regional Park Perth in August.

This is a juvenile bobtail seen at Canning Vale in Perth in September.

This bobtail was seen at Mt Matilda Wongan Hills in the wheatbelt in early September on a wet and windy day.

Wongan Hills in August

Keaginne Reserve Great Eastern Hwy, in August. Opposite Elcaballo Blanco

Udmung Reserve Great Eastern Hwy in September. This bobtail measured 22cm long from S-V

This bobtail was seen on the road at the base of the Stirling Ranges in the Great Southern region in November.

We are not sure which subspecies this one is. It was photographed basking in the sun in Perup on a dirt road in the south-west of Western Australia in December.

I am not sure of this species either. It was photographed at Badgingara National Park on the midwest coast.

This bobtail was seen on the road going from Boyagin Rock Reserve to Tutanning Nature Reserve in the wheatbelt in November.

This bobtail was seen on Brookton Hwy in a State forest in September.

Canning Mills Reserve Roleystone Darling Range in August

Gleneagle State Forest, Darling Range, in May.

Mating occurs in spring. 1-3 large live young are born in summer where they fend for themselves.

Banovich Rd Mt Lesueur Jurien September. This bobtail measured S-V20cm Long. Several other bobtails were seen here on this day.

Banovich Rd Mt Lesueur Jurien September. This bobtail measured S-V23cm Long

Mt Lesueur Jurien in September. This bobtail measured 24cm S-V

Mt Lesueur Jurien in September. This bobtail measured 26cm S-V

This was the fourth bobtail I found on this road outside Coomallo Nature Reserve in Jurien in September.

This Bobtail was seen at Rica Ericson Reserve, wheatbelt in September. Go here to see our video of this gorgeous reptile.

Weatheroo National Park Jingemia Cave in September. This bobtail was 20cm long from S-V. Several bobtails were seen at Weatheroo National Park

This bobtail at Weatheroo National Park measured 17.5cm long S-V

*T.r. tropisurus* This bobtail has a deeper longer head and a smaller ear opening. Tail often tapers to a point. Has pale flecks or blotches over a dark grey to brown colour. It is approx 310mm in length from snout to vent. This bobtail subspecies is in the midwest coast of Western Australia to Carnarvon. This bobtail was photographed on the road to Kalbarri.
	The roads retain heat from the sun especially the tar roads being blacker. This entices the bobtails and other reptiles onto the road to soak up the heat as they are cold blooded and can't eat, digest or hunt until they are warm. Sadly they are often run over as they blend in so well with the colour of the road and are not seen until the last minute. They will stay still and I have often missed them by running my wheels either side of them.
This may be a T.r. tropisurus it was seen at Coomallo Nature Reserve in Jurien in September. It measured from S-V 24cm long.	*This may also be a tropisurus* it was seen at Mt Lesueur near Jurien in September and it was 23cm long from S-V**
This other bobtail found on the same day on the same road at Mt Lesueur isn't the same species but the rugosa

Go Here to see our video of this albino bobtail.

The difficulty for this skink being albino is that it has no dark pigment to absorb heat and they can also get sun burnt.

Did you know any reptile can be an albino? It is caused by a lack of skin pigment because a genetic anomaly inhibits the production of melanin, the dark brown or black pigment that would color the skin. Without it or with reduced amounts you get a much lighter colouring. Not all pale animals are a true albino the animal has to have red eyes as this shows that it does not have the chromosomes of any colourings.

What do they eat? They eat insects, carrion (dead animals), fruit, berries and flowers including herbs. They also eat snails and slugs so please don't use snail pellets in your gardens.
	I saw a Bobtail at Karnup Nature Reserve on Baldivis Rd Baldivis and when it hissed at me it had this flower in its mouth.
Other places I have seen Bobtail skinks; A grey Bobtail at Cervantes in November. Piney Lakes in Perth I saw six Bobtails in one day. Bull Creek Park in Perth in July. Walyunga National Park north of Perth in October. Helena Rd Mundaring Perth Karnup Nature Reserve Baldivis Rd Baldivis Perth in September. Wildflower picnic site, which was called Black Boy picnic site, in Harvey in November.
Text: "Reptiles and Frogs of the Perth Region" by Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, Robert Browne-Cooper and David Robinson. "Australian Reptiles A Photographic Reference to the Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia" by Stephen K Wilson, David G Knowles.